Pennsylvania Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 21, 2026

HB 2528: An Act designating a bridge, identified as Bridge Key 8514, carrying Pennsylvania Route 271 over North Branch Blacklick Creek in Barr Township, Cambria County, as the Brown Brothers Memorial Bridge.

This bill designates a specific bridge in Cambria County as the Brown Brothers Memorial Bridge to honor five brothers who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. The legislation requires the state Department of Transportation to install and maintain signs displaying the new name for the bridge carrying Pennsylvania Route 271. The act takes effect 60 days after being signed into law.

Topics ✓ Veterans

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 1340: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in duties and powers of boards of school directors, further providing for publication of rules, regulations and policies; and, in pupils and attendance, further providing for home education program.

SB 1340 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require school districts to publish rules on their websites regarding home school students' participation in extracurricular activities, such as JROTC. It also mandates that school districts ensure JROTC programs are open to home school students who meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, the bill requires military families providing home instruction to notify their local school district within 30 days of starting.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 1341: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for community-engaged schools; establishing the Community-Engaged School for Success Pilot Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

This bill establishes a pilot program called the Community-Engaged School for Success to support struggling schools in Pennsylvania by connecting them with local community resources. It designates schools as "community-engaged" if they are among the lowest 15% in academic performance or located in districts with at least 30% acute poverty, requiring them to hire coordinators and program managers to oversee new support services. These services include academic help, mental and dental health care, family engagement, and college preparation, provided by school staff or outside partners without replacing existing union-negotiated duties. The Department of Education is tasked with approving applications and designating at least 20 schools by September 2026 to begin this initiative.

Topics ✓ Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 20, 2026

HB 2524: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax.

This bill modifies Pennsylvania's sales and use tax law to temporarily exempt soccer cleats, gloves, balls, and related accessories from tax. The exemption applies only to individual buyers purchasing these items for personal use during a six-month window starting when the law takes effect. To ensure clarity, the Department of Revenue must publish online guidance explaining how to apply this temporary exclusion.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 1328: An Act requiring automated external defibrillators at utility or electrical worksites; imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; and imposing penalties.

This bill requires electric utilities and their contractors to provide automated external defibrillators at all worksites where lineworkers perform electrical tasks. It mandates that these devices be available and functional at both permanent and temporary locations, while also requiring basic CPR and AED training for workers and crew leaders. The legislation assigns the Department of Labor and Industry the duty to establish maintenance and inspection standards for the equipment. Additionally, the bill extends Good Samaritan protections to individuals who use these devices in good faith, shielding them from liability.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 1330: An Act amending the act of December 16, 1986 (P.L.1646, No.188), known as the Chiropractic Practice Act, in preliminary provisions, providing for findings and declarations and for applicability and construction and further providing for definitions; in State Board of Chiropractic, further providing for powers and duties and providing for certification to perform dry needling, for certification to practice animal chiropractic, for concussion management and for student athletes; in licensure and regulation, further providing for applications for license, repealing provisions relating to examination and to failure of examination, further providing for reciprocity, for limited license, for refusal, suspension or revocation of license, repealing provisions relating to continuing chiropractic education, providing for continuing chiropractic education requirements, for format and limits for continuing chiropractic education, for course content and approval, for calculation of continuing chiropractic education credits, for sponsor approval and program administration, for renewal certification, reporting and audits, for exemptions and carryover and for extensions, waivers and enforcement, further providing for professional liability insurance, for license required, for Doctor of Chiropractic and abbreviation and for relationship with other branches of the healing arts and providing for opinions and testimony; in penalty provisions, further providing for practice of chiropractic without license prohibited and for violation of other provisions; and, in miscellaneous provisions, further providing for fees.

Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1330 amends the state's Chiropractic Practice Act to update regulations for chiropractors and expand the scope of their certified services. The bill introduces new certifications allowing practitioners to perform dry needling, treat animals, and manage concussions for student athletes. It also replaces the old examination requirements with a new system for continuing education, adds rules for using artificial intelligence in adjustments, and clarifies definitions for various chiropractic procedures. These changes aim to modernize the legal framework governing the profession while maintaining oversight through the State Board of Chiropractic.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 20, 2026

HB 2522: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code to temporarily exempt sales and use tax on items related to homecoming and prom events. The exemption applies to individuals purchasing formal attire, shoes, flowers, and accessories for nonbusiness use during a six-month window starting July 1, 2026. The law defines specific terms like "homecoming" and "prom" to clarify which events qualify, and it states that the tax exclusion remains in effect even if the purchased items are delivered after the six-month period ends.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 20, 2026

SR 322: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and issue a report with recommendations for an updated statutory and regulatory framework for electric bicycles.

This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to study Pennsylvania's outdated electric bicycle laws and provide recommendations for updates. The study will focus on rider and pedestrian safety, infrastructure improvements, and permitting rules that account for modern e-bike capabilities like higher power and cargo capacity. The commission must submit its findings and suggestions to the Senate by one year after the resolution is adopted. This measure does not change current laws but initiates a review process to address the growing popularity and technological advancements of electric bicycles.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 20, 2026

SR 319: A Resolution designating July 4, 2026, as "Knoebels Amusement Resort Day" in Pennsylvania, celebrating 100 years of operation in this Commonwealth.

This resolution designates July 4, 2026, as 'Knoebels Amusement Resort Day' throughout Pennsylvania to honor the park's 100th anniversary. The bill recognizes Knoebels, a family-owned amusement park in Elysburg, for its century of operation and its status as the largest free-admission park in the United States. It highlights the park's history, from its origins as a picnic destination to its current offerings of rides and attractions, while noting its resilience against past flooding challenges. The measure serves as a commemorative tribute rather than enacting new laws or funding.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 1323: An Act providing for the regulation of commercial data centers; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, the Department of Human Services and the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority; establishing the Data Center Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Enhancement Account and the Pennsylvania Energy Independence Account; providing for clean firm energy requirements, contract filing, commission review, disclosure requirements, backup generation standards, curtailment standards and certification and expedited interconnection for commercial data centers bringing incremental clean firm energy resources; and imposing penalties.

This bill establishes a regulatory framework for large commercial data centers in Pennsylvania, specifically targeting facilities with a peak power demand of 25 megawatts or more. It requires these data centers to procure a specific amount of clean, reliable energy from new sources like wind, solar with storage, and nuclear power, while also mandating backup generation capabilities and strict disclosure rules. To support the program, the legislation creates two new funding accounts: one to enhance assistance for low-income households facing high energy costs and another to promote state energy independence. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will oversee contract reviews and enforcement, with penalties in place for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 20, 2026

HR 530: A Resolution recognizing the month of April 2026 as "National Arab American Heritage Month" in Pennsylvania.

This Pennsylvania House Resolution designates April 2026 as "National Arab American Heritage Month" to honor the state's significant Arab American community. The measure highlights the group's long history in the region, their diverse contributions to society, and their cultural traditions. It also acknowledges the challenges of discrimination faced by Arab Americans and encourages residents to celebrate their heritage.

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 20, 2026

SB 1338: An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in governance of the system, further providing for fee increases and automation fee.

This bill allows Pennsylvania courts in specific counties to charge an additional $10 automation fee when starting a legal case. The collected money must be used exclusively to fund and maintain automated systems within the clerk of courts offices. The fee can be raised once every three years, but only by an amount matching the recent inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index. This change aims to provide dedicated funding for court technology updates while limiting how often and how much the fee can increase.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Technology

Bill results